Microsoft account FAQ

Overview

Your Microsoft account is the account you use to manage your interactions with Xbox Live and other Microsoft services, including Outlook.com, OneDrive, Skype, Windows 10, Windows Phone, and more. This central account allows you to:

Manage all your Microsoft services from a single account

Sign in to your Xbox console or the Windows 10 Xbox App

Manage your purchases and subscriptions

Establish and manage family settings to keep your kids safe

This page answers common questions and provides resources to learn more about managing your Microsoft account.

How do I create a Microsoft account?

If you use an email address and password to sign in to a Microsoft service such as Hotmail, Outlook, Messenger, or Xbox Live, you already have a Microsoft account, and you can use it to sign in to any Xbox console or service.

If you don't have a Microsoft account, you can easily create one by visiting the Create an account page and following the instructions. You can use any email address you already use regularly, or we'll help you create a new @outlook.com email address.

How do I change the email address I use for my Microsoft account?

If you want to change the email address you use for your Microsoft account, you can update it at account.microsoft.com. Once you've signed in, select Your info, and then select Manage your sign-in email or phone number.

I have different Microsoft accounts for different services—how do I combine them?

Currently, you can't move your services from one Microsoft account to another. This option may be available in the future.

What is Microsoft account security information, and how do I manage it?

When you change sensitive account information, such as a password or contact details, we send a security code to a phone number or email address on file to make sure that the person making the change is the account owner.

All accounts must have at least one contact method, though we encourage including both a phone number and an email address in case you lose access to one of them. You can view your security information by signing in at account.microsoft.com and selecting Security & privacy.

How do I close my Microsoft account?

If you want to close your Microsoft account, see How to close your Microsoft account. You can re-open a closed account within 60 days. After 60 days, the account and all associated details will be permanently deleted from our systems.